Bicycle carrier

ABSTRACT

A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle adjacent the rear of a vehicle. The bicycle rack includes an adjustable frame assembly having a first frame member attached to a housing and a second frame member attached to a connecting member. The connecting member is rotationally coupled to the housing to allow relative pivotal movement between the first and second frame members. A locking member is disposed within the housing and selectively movable between a first position, in which the locking member engages the connecting member to impede relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing, and a second position, in which the locking member is disengaged from the connecting member to allow relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing. At least one support arm is coupled to the housing and configured for sliding and pivotal movement between a stowed position and an extended position in which the arm engages the housing to support a bicycle adjacent the vehicle. A mounting assembly is positionable on the support arm to hold the bicycle in place during travel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation patent application ofapplication Ser. No. 09/466,233 filed Dec. 17, 1999 titled “BicycleCarrier” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to bicycle carriers, and moreparticularly to an adjustable bicycle carrier that may be mounted on therear of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The popularity of recreational cycling has grown substantially inrecent years. As a result, the demand for bicycle carriers to transportbikes on cars and other vehicles has also grown.

[0004] There are various types of vehicle-mountable bicycle carriersavailable. One type is mountable on the trunk or other rear portion of avehicle to carry one or more bicycles adjacent the rear of the vehicle.While some of these carriers are adjustable to mount on differentvehicles, the adjustment mechanisms are cumbersome. In addition, evennormal acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle can cause thebicycles to sway or become misaligned on the carrier, resulting indamage to the bikes and/or the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bicycle rack mounted on a vehicleand supporting a bicycle according to the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 2 is a magnified isometric view of the outer side of ahousing assembly of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1, showing the handleextended and rotated to secure the locking member in the secondposition.

[0007]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the inner side of the housingassembly of FIG. 2, with the connecting member removed to show thelocking member.

[0008]FIG. 4 is a magnified detail view of the area enclosed by dashedcircle 4 in FIG. 3.

[0009]FIG. 5 is an isometric, partially cut away view showing thelocking member in the first position so that the teeth of the lockingmember engage both the housing and the connecting member to preventrelative pivotal movement between the first and second frame members.

[0010]FIG. 6 is an isometric, partially cut away view showing thelocking member in the second position so that the teeth of the lockingmember do not engage the connecting member, thus allowing relativepivotal movement between the first and second frame members.

[0011]FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the housing assembly of FIG. 2, witha portion of the housing cut away to show the slidable and pivotalengagement of the support arm with the housing assembly.

[0012]FIG. 8 is an isometric view showing a saddle mount and astabilizer installed on a support arm and engaging a portion of abicycle frame (shown in dashed lines). A tie-down member is shownpositioned across the bicycle frame and engaging anchors on the saddlemount to hold the bicycle in position. A second saddle mount and asecond stabilizer are shown in exploded view.

[0013]FIG. 9 is a rear elevation of a saddle mount and a stabilizershowing how the top tube of bicycle frame is supported by the saddlemount, and showing the stabilizer positioned to engage the seat tube ofthe bicycle frame.

[0014]FIG. 10 is a rear elevation of a saddle mount and a stabilizershowing how the top tube of bicycle frame is supported by the saddlemount, and showing the stabilizer positioned to engage the down tube ofthe bicycle frame.

[0015]FIG. 11 is a rear elevation of a saddle mount showing one tie-downmember engaged on one anchor, and another tie-down member beingstretched to disengage another anchor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] A vehicle-mountable bicycle rack according to the presentinvention is indicated generally at 20, in FIG. 1. Bike rack 20 includesan adjustable frame assembly 22 positionable adjacent the rear of avehicle 200, and one or more support arms 24 extending from the frame tosupport at least one bicycle 220 behind the vehicle. Bike rack 20 alsoincludes one or more mounting assemblies 26 adapted to secure bike 220to the rack and prevent the bike from swaying or becoming dislodgedduring operation of the vehicle.

[0017] An exemplary embodiment of frame assembly 22 is depicted in FIGS.1-7, and includes a first frame member 28 configured to contact vehicle200. First frame member 28 is generally U-shaped with the central, lowerportion of the first frame member being inclined out of the plane of theupper portion. One or more cushioning devices such as cylindrical foampads 30 typically are attached to the first frame member to protect thevehicle and frame assembly from scratching. First frame member 28 may beconstructed out of any suitable material, such as steel tubing, and maybe sized as required for compatibility with a wide variety of vehicles.

[0018] Frame assembly 22 also includes one or more housings 32 attachedto first frame member 28. As can best be seen in FIG. 7, each end of thefirst frame member 28 is received into a housing 32 where it is securedby bolts 34 which pass through the housing. The bolts are fastened tothe housing by nuts 36, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0019] Also included in frame assembly 22 is second frame member 38,which is generally U-shaped and configured to contact vehicle 200.Second frame member 38 may include one or more cushioning devices, suchas pads 40, to protect the vehicle and frame member from scratches.Second frame member 38 may be constructed out of any suitable material,including steel tubing, and may be sized as required for compatibilitywith a wide variety of vehicles. One or more connecting members 42 areattached to second frame member 38. In the exemplary embodiment, eachend of the second frame member is received into a connecting member 42,where it is secured by a bolt 44 (best seen in FIG. 3) passing throughhousing 32. Bolt 44 is fastened to the housing by a nut 46.

[0020] As will be described in further detail below, each connectingmember 42 is pivotally coupled to one of the housings 32, therebypermitting relative pivotal movement between first frame member 28 andsecond frame member 38. This allows frame assembly 22 to be adjusted tomount on vehicles of any size or configuration.

[0021] Typically frame assembly 22 is adjusted as necessary so thatsupport arms 24 extend in a generally horizontal rearward direction whenthe frame assembly is positioned on the vehicle. Rack 20 is then mountedonto vehicle 200 by positioning the frame assembly against the vehicleand securing the frame assembly with one or more straps 48. Each strapis attached to a channel 49 in a housing at one end, and a hook 50 atthe opposite end. Hooks 50 are configured to engage and grip portions ofvehicle 200 such as trunk lid 202. In the exemplary embodiment depictedin FIG. 1, rack 20 includes four straps, two connected to each housing32. One strap from each housing is positioned to hold the rack to thetop of trunk lid 202, while the other strap from each housing ispositioned to hold the rack to the bottom of trunk lid 202. Each strapmay also include a buckle 52 or similar device to allow the length ofthe strap to be adjusted. Once the rack is positioned on the vehicle andthe hooks are arranged as desired, the straps may be tightened to holdthe rack securely on the vehicle.

[0022] While one exemplary method of mounting rack 20 on a vehicle hasbeen shown and described, it will be appreciated that there are manyother ways of mounting the rack within the scope of the invention. Asone example, the straps may be arranged differently depending on theconfiguration of the vehicle. Other examples include, using a differentnumber of straps, or holding the rack on the vehicle by fasteningmethods other than straps.

[0023] Focusing particular attention now on FIGS. 2-6, the pivotingconnection between housing 32 and connecting member 42 will be describedin greater detail. Connecting member 42 includes an annular portion 54,which is received into a circular aperture 56 in the side of thehousing. Bolt 44 passes through both housing 32 and connecting member 42to hold annular portion 54 within aperture 56. Bolt 44 also passesthrough locking member 58, which is disposed within the housing andselectively movable between a first position and a second position. Inthe first position, locking member 58 engages both the housing and theconnecting member to prevent relative movement therebetween. In thesecond position, the locking member is disengaged from the connectingmember, thus allowing the connecting member to rotate or pivot withinthe aperture.

[0024] It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that lockingmember 58 may be configured to engage the housing and the connectingmember in a variety of ways. In the exemplary embodiment, locking member58 is in the form of a wheel having a plurality of grooves or teeth 60across its outer circumference. Housing 32 includes an inner surface 62having a plurality of teeth 64 configured to interlock with teeth 60 oflocking member 58. Thus, the locking member fits within the innersurface of the housing and is restrained from rotating within thehousing by the engagement of teeth 60 with teeth 64. However, thelocking member remains free to slide along its central radial axiswithin the housing.

[0025] Annular portion 54 of connecting member 42 also includes an innersurface 66 having a plurality of teeth 68. Surface 66 and teeth 68 areconfigured to receive the locking member and interlock with teeth 60 toprevent relative rotation between the connecting member and the lockingmember. However, the locking member remains free to slide in and out ofthe connecting member along the central radial axis.

[0026]FIGS. 5 and 6 best illustrate the engagement of the locking memberwith the housing and the connecting member. FIG. 5 shows the lockingmember in the first position, in which the locking member is at leastpartially received into the connecting member. Teeth 60 of the lockingmember interlock with teeth 64 of the housing and with teeth 68 of theconnecting member to impede relative rotational movement between theconnecting member and the housing. As a result, first frame member 28 isprevented from pivoting relative to second frame member 38. However, inFIG. 6, locking member 58 has been moved to the second position in whichthe teeth of the locking member are disengaged from the teeth of theconnecting member. Thus, the connecting member is free to rotaterelative to the locking member and the housing. As a result, first framemember 28 may be pivoted relative to second frame member 38.

[0027] It will be understood that to allow substantial pivotal movementbetween the first and second frame members, both connecting members mustbe rotatable relative to their corresponding housings. Thus, to adjustthe frame assembly, the user disengages each locking member from thecorresponding connecting member, pivots the first and/or second framemember as desired, and then re-engages each locking member with thecorresponding connecting member to lock the frame assembly in thedesired configuration. In the exemplary embodiment, each locking member,connecting member, and housing contains a relatively large number ofteeth to allow the frame assembly to be adjusted in relatively smallincrements. Alternatively, each locking member, connecting member, andhousing may be constructed with a relatively small number of teeth tocorrespond to just a few selectable angular positions between the framemembers.

[0028] As also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, frame assembly 22 also includes abiasing member 70 disposed within the housing to urge the locking membertoward the first position. In the exemplary embodiment, biasing member70 is in the form of a compression spring positioned around bolt 44 andagainst the side of locking member 58 opposite the connecting member.Spring 70 is compressed between the locking member and the wall ofhousing 32 to urge the locking member toward the first position toengage the connecting member.

[0029] A handle 72 extends through the housing and is coupled to thelocking member to allow the user to move the locking member to thesecond position by pulling the handle away from the housing. Handle 72includes two arms 74 which extend through slots 76 in housing 32, andthrough corresponding slots 78 in locking member 58. As can best be seenin the detail view of FIG. 4, each arm 74 extends through slot 74 to theother side of the locking member. A deflectable lip 80 is formed on thearm to abut against and grip the edge of slot 78 so that the lockingmember is pulled in the direction of biasing member 70 when the handleis pulled outward away from the housing. While it is within the scope ofthe invention for locking member 58 to be attached to handle 72 by anysuitable method, the arm and lip structure described and depicted in theexemplary embodiment provides for easy assembly by simply aligning slots78 with arms 74, and pressing the locking member inward against spring70 until lips 80 snap over the edges of slots 78.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment, the locking member is securable inthe second position against the urging of the biasing member, to allowthe user to adjust the frame assembly without having simultaneously tohold handles 72 away from the housings. As shown in FIG. 2, each slot 76includes a notch 82 configured to receive a ledge 84 on arms 74. Ledges84 prevent arms 74 from passing through slots 76 unless the arms arealigned with notches 82. Thus, to secure the locking member in thesecond position, the user pulls handle 72 outward from the housing androtates the handle so that arms 74 slide along slots 76 away fromnotches 82. When the user releases the handle, ledges 84 strike theedges of slots 76 and prevent the locking member from returning to thefirst position under the urging of spring 70. FIG. 2 shows the handlepulled outward and rotated to prevent the handle from being pulled backtoward the housing by spring 70. Thus, the user can disengage thelocking members on each side of the frame assembly and then adjust theframe assembly as desired without having to hold the handles away fromthe housings. Once the frame assembly is adjusted to the desired angularconfiguration, the handles can be rotated to align arms 74 with notches82 and then released, at which point spring 70 presses the lockingmember back into engagement with the connecting member to lock the frameassembly in the desired configuration.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, locking member 58 includes a plurality ofribs 86 disposed adjacent slots 78. Ribs 86 are adapted to slightlyimpede rotation of arms 74 in slots 78. The ribs do not prevent the userfrom rotating the handle to secure the locking member in the secondposition. However, once the user has rotated the arms across the ribs,the ribs prevent the handle from accidentally rotating in the oppositedirection and allowing the locking member to return to the firstposition. Arms 74 and/or ribs 86 may be rounded to allow the arms torotate relatively smoothly past the ribs when the user rotates thehandle.

[0032] As described above, frame assembly 22 is easily adjustable to besecurely mounted on virtually any type and configuration of vehicle. Thevarious parts of the frame assembly may be constructed of any materialsuitable for outdoor use and possessing the necessary structuralstrength to allow rack 20 to support the weight of one or more bicycles.While housing 32, connecting member 42, locking member 58, and handle 72typically are constructed of a molded plastic such as nylon, othermaterials are also suitable.

[0033] Turning now to FIG. 7, it can be seen that rack 20 includessupport arms 24 coupled to each housing 32 by a sliding, pivotingconnection. Support arms 24 may be constructed out of any suitablematerial, such as steel tubing. In the exemplary embodiment, eachsupport arm 24 includes an elongate slot 88 adjacent one end of the arm.A bolt 90 passes through the housing and through slot 88 to couple thesupport arm to the housing. A nut 92 (best seen in FIG. 3) holds thebolt in place. The slot-and-bolt connection of support arm 24 to housing32 allows the support arm to pivot between a stowed position, indicatedby dashed lines in FIG. 7, and an extended position, indicated by solidlines in FIG. 7. When in the extended position, the slot-and-boltconnection allows the support arm to be slid into a socket 94 within thehousing. When the support arm is received into the socket, the housingengages the support arm and prevents pivotal movement of the support armabout bolt 90, thereby maintaining the support arm in the extendedposition to support bicycle 220 adjacent the vehicle.

[0034] Support arm 24 also includes a spring-loaded, retractable catchor pin 96, which is configured to protrude through a hole 98 in housing32 when the support arm is received in the socket. Thus, the pinprevents the support arm from sliding out of the socket accidentally.When the user wishes to move the support arm from the extended positionto the stowed position, the user presses the pin inward against theaction of the spring, and then slides the support arm out of the socket.As shown in FIG. 2, housing 32 may be formed to include a depression 100adjacent hole 98 to allow the user to press pin 96 inward. Additionally,pin 96 may be formed with a rounded end to allow it to pass through hole98 without snagging. In any event, once the support arm is removed fromthe socket, it can be pivoted to the stowed position. When pin 96 clearshousing 32, it will move outward to abut against the side of the housingand maintain the support arm in the stowed position. To pivot thesupport arm back to the extended position, the user first presses thepin inward to clear the housing, and then pivots the support arm upward.

[0035] It will be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment of rack 20described herein may be substantially collapsed for storage when not inuse. As described above, the first and second frame members may bepivoted together to extend in a single general direction, and thenlocked in that configuration. Additionally, the support arms may bepivoted to the stowed position adjacent and generally parallel to thefirst frame member, leaving rack 20 in a relatively flat configuration.

[0036] Turning attention now to FIGS. 8-11, rack 20 also includes one ormore mounting assemblies 26 adapted to secure one or more bikes tosupport arms 24. Each mounting may comprise different componentsdepending on the application. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.1, each mounting assembly includes a saddle mount 102, a stabilizerapparatus 104, and one or more tie-down members 106. It will beappreciated, however, that some or all of the mounting assemblies mayomit one or more of these components. As one example, a particularmounting assembly may omit a stabilizer and include only a saddle mountand tie-down member. As another example, the saddle mount and/or thestabilizer may be configured to grip a bicycle without the need for atie5 down member.

[0037] As is well known in the art, bicycles typically include a frame222 having a top tube 224, a down tube 226, and a seat tube 228. Toptube 224 extends generally forwardly and horizontally from proximate thebicycle seat to proximate the handle bars. Down tube 226 typically iscoupled to the top tube proximate the handle bars and extends downwardlyand rearwardly toward the pedal sprocket. Seat tube 228 typically iscoupled to the top tube proximate the seat and extends generallydownwardly to the pedal sprocket.

[0038] Saddle mount 102 is disposed on support arm 24 to receive andengage a portion of top tube 224 and retain the bike in a selectedlongitudinal position on the support arm. As shown in FIG. 1, saddlemounts typically will be disposed on both support arms and aligned toreceive the top tube of a single bike. Thus, the bike is supported abovethe ground and retained in a stable position behind the vehicle duringtravel. In the exemplary embodiment, each saddle mount includes aunitary body 108 formed of molded Santoprene rubber or other suitablematerial adapted to grip the bike frame without causing scratches orother damage.

[0039] Body 108 is formed to define a cylindrical collar 110 adapted tofit over and engage a support arm 24, and a channel 112 extending intothe body. To install a saddle mount on a support arm, the user slidesthe collar along the support arm to the desired location, and thenrotates the saddle mount until the channel is aligned in the desiredorientation. Typically, channel 112 is oriented above the support arm toallow the top tube of the bicycle to rest in the channel. Channel 112 isformed as an elongate, parabolic trough adapted to accept top tube 224.The channel is oriented in a direction generally transverse to collar110 so that the channel extends generally across the support arms wheninstalled on the rack. In the exemplary embodiment, the sides of channel112 are sized to extend partially up the sides of a top tube resting inthe channel. Alternatively, the sides of channel 112 may be larger orsmaller as desired. In any event, channel 112 grips top tube 224 andretains the bicycle in a stable longitudinal position along the supportarm during operation of the vehicle.

[0040] To prevent top tube 224 from being dislodged accidentally, one ormore tie-down members 106 may be positioned over the top tube andfastened to saddle mount 102. In the exemplary embodiment, each saddlemount includes one or more anchors 114 extending from body 108. Anchor114 includes a circular base 116 sized to fit within circular apertures118 formed in tie-down member 106. Each anchor has a distal end 120spaced from body 108, and one or more flanges 122 arranged about thedistal end. Flanges 122 are arranged generally along a single transverseaxis A to form an oval or elongate rim. Flanges 122 prevent the tie downmembers from slipping off circular base 116. Tie-down members 106typically are made of a stretchable material (e.g. Dynaflex G7431rubber), and must be stretched along axis A to allow the apertures topass over the flanges. Thus, the tie-downs member cannot accidentallybecome disengaged from the anchors unless the tie-down members arestretched to clear the flanges.

[0041] Referring to the tie-down member on the left in FIG. 11, a usermay secure the tie-down member to an anchor by hooking one edge of aselected aperture around one flange, and then pulling the tie-downmember directly away from the hooked flange (i.e., along axis A). Whenthe tie-down member is pulled along axis A, it will stretch along axis Acausing the selected aperture to stretch over the opposite flange. Oncethe aperture clears the opposite flange, the user presses the tie-downmember inward over the flange, and then releases the tie-down member toreturn to its unstretched condition, illustrated by the tie-down memberon the right in FIG. 11. Tie-down member 106 may include a handle or tab124 to allow the user to grip the tie-down member more easily. The userdisengages the tie-down member by reversing the above steps. In oneembodiment, the tie-down members are formed of a different, moreflexible material than the saddle mounts to prevent the anchors frombending when a tie-down member is being stretched over the flanges.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment, each saddle mount 102 includes twopairs of anchors 114, with one pair disposed adjacent opposite sides ofone end of channel 112, and the other pair disposed adjacent oppositesides of the other end of channel 112. Nevertheless, it will beappreciated that other configurations are also within the scope of theinvention. For example, a saddle mount may include less than or morethan two pairs of anchors. In addition, it may not be necessary toengage a tie-down member to both pairs of anchors to hold the top tubewithin the saddle. Similarly, while tie-down members 106 are describedabove as being separate and removable from saddle mounts 102, analternative embodiment of the invention may include tie-down memberswhich are formed integrally with the saddle mounts. For example, one endof the tie-down member may extend from adjacent one side of channel 112,and be positionable over top tube 224 to engage an anchor disposedadjacent the opposite side of channel 112. Furthermore, while bases 116and apertures 118 have been described and depicted as generallycircular, it will be appreciated that these parts may be virtually anyshape as desired.

[0043] While saddle mounts 102 are configured to retain a bike in aselected longitudinal position on the support arm, it will beappreciated that the bike may tend to swing or sway due to the motion ofthe vehicle. To protect both the vehicle and bike(s) from damage due toswinging, mounting assembly 26 also includes one or more stabilizers 104to impede swinging of the bicycle. Each stabilizer includes anintegrally formed body 126 with a pair of collars 128 configured to fitover the support arm. As can be seen in FIG. 8, collars 128 are spacedapart to fit on either side of collar 110 of the saddle mount when thesaddle mount and stabilizer are mounted together on the support arm.Collars 128 allow the stabilizer to slide along, and pivot about, thesupport arm. Because stabilizer 104 is separate from saddle mount 102,the stabilizer can pivot about the support arm independently of thesaddle mount. While both collars 128 and collar 110 are typicallyconfigured to fit on support arm 24 tightly enough to prevent themounting assembly from accidentally sliding off, the support arm mayalso include a removable cap (not shown) on the end of the support armto prevent passage of the collars.

[0044] Body 126 is formed to define a channel 130 extending at leastpartially into the body, and may be constructed of any suitable materialincluding nylon. The stabilizer typically is installed on the supportarm so that the channel faces out to the side of the vehicle. Thechannel is configured to receive at least a portion of either down tube226 or seat tube 228. The pivoting connection of stabilizer 104 withsupport arm 24 allows the user to selectively position the stabilizer toengage either the seat tube, as shown in FIG. 9, or the down tube, asshown in FIG. 10. When the seat tube or the down tube is received intochannel 130, the sides of the channel prevent lateral swinging of thebicycle frame.

[0045] It will be appreciated that stabilizer 104 will provide greaterstabilizing moment if it engages either the seat tube or the down tubeat a location spaced from the top tube. Thus, in the exemplaryembodiment, body 126 is approximately four inches long from the top ofcollars 128 to the bottom of channel 130, and engages the seat tube orthe down tube at a location substantially spaced from the top tube ofthe bicycle. It will be appreciated, however, that the stabilizers maybe formed either longer or shorter within the scope of the invention.

[0046] Stabilizer 104 may also include one or more anchors 114configured to engage and secure one or more tie-down members. In theexemplary embodiment, the anchors on the stabilizers are substantiallysimilar to the anchors on the saddle mounts so that tie-down members 106may be secured interchangeably to either the saddle mounts or thestabilizers. Alternatively, the anchors on the stabilizers may beconfigured differently than the anchors on the saddle mounts forcompatibility with different tie-down members. Furthermore, as describedabove in connection with the saddle mounts, the stabilizers may includeother configurations of anchors and tie-down members within the scope ofthe invention.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, rack 20 includes twopairs of mounting assemblies for mounting two bicycles. Alternatively,rack 20 may include only one pair of mounting assemblies for holding onebike, or three or more pairs for holding three or more bikes.Furthermore, while each mounting assembly is illustrated as includingboth a saddle mount and a stabilizer, it will be appreciated that asingle stabilizer per bike may be sufficient to prevent the bike fromswinging during travel. Indeed, for bikes with top tubes that aresubstantially longer than the spacing between the support arms, it maybe difficult to engage both the seat tube and the down tube withstabilizers. Thus, in an alternative embodiment, a pair of mountingassemblies may include a first assembly having both a saddle mount and astabilizer, and a second assembly having only a saddle mount. Since thestabilizer may be pivoted to engage either the seat tube or the downtube of a bike, the bike may be mounted facing either the left or theright of the vehicle regardless of which support arm the stabilizer isinstalled on. Indeed, it may be desirable, when carrying two or morebikes, to mount adjacent bikes facing in opposite directions so that thehandle bars of the bikes do not collide. This arrangement would allowmore bikes to be carried because they could be placed more closelytogether.

[0048] While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred form, thespecific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are notto be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations arepossible. Applicants regard the subject matter of their invention toinclude all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations ofthe various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosedherein. No single feature, function, element or property of thedisclosed embodiments is essential to all embodiments. The followingclaims define certain combinations and subcombinations which areregarded as novel and non-obvious. Other combinations andsubcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties maybe claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation ofnew claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether theyare different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the originalclaims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter ofapplicants' invention.

We claim:
 1. A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle, whereinthe bicycle has a top tube, a down tube, and a seat tube, comprising aframe attachable to the rear of the vehicle and configured to supportthe bicycle adjacent the vehicle, at least one arm extending from theframe, a saddle mount having at least one cylindrical collar forreceiving the arm and a trough for supporting the top tube of thebicycle, and a stabilizer having at least one cylindrical collar forreceiving the arm, and a channel for engaging a down tube or a seat tubeof the bicycle, wherein the collars for the top tube and the stabilizerare integrated so that they slide together along the arm, but arepermitted to rotate independently around the arm.
 2. The rack of claim1, wherein the stabilizer has two cylindrical collars engaging the armon opposite sides of the collar of the top tube mount.
 3. The rack ofclaim 1, wherein the trough on the stabilizer is elongate.
 4. The rackof claim 1, wherein the saddle mount has at least one tie down, one endof the tie down being permanently connected to a first side of themount, a fastener being provided on a second side of the mount so thatthe tie down can be selectively coupled to the fastener to retain thetop tube of the bicycle in the trough.
 5. The rack of claim 4, whereinthe saddle mount has at least two tie downs, and a fastener for each tiedown.
 6. The rack of claim 1, further comprising a second arm extendingfrom the frame, a second mount and stabilizer being mounted on thesecond arm
 7. The rack of claim 1, wherein a tie down on the stabilizerfor maintaining a down tube or seat tube of the bicycle in the channelof the stabilizer
 8. A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle,wherein the bicycle has a top tube, a down tube, and a seat tube,comprising a frame attachable to the rear of the vehicle and configuredto support the bicycle adjacent the vehicle, at least one arm extendingfrom the frame, a saddle mount having at least one cylindrical collarfor receiving the arm and a trough for supporting the top tube of thebicycle, a stabilizer having at least one cylindrical collar forreceiving the arm, and a channel for engaging a down tube or a seat tubeof the bicycle, and at least one tie down, one end of the tie down beingpermanently connected to a first side of the mount, a fastener beingprovided on a second side of the mount so that the tie down can beselectively coupled to the fastener to retain the top tube of thebicycle in the trough.
 9. The rack of claim 8, wherein the trough in thesaddle mount is elongate.
 10. The rack of claim 8, further comprising asecond tie down on the saddle mount, wherein the trough has a front endand a back end, the first tie down being located near the front end ofthe trough, and the second tie down being located near the back end ofthe trough.
 11. A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle,wherein the bicycle has a top tube, a down tube, and a seat tube,comprising a frame attachable to the rear of the vehicle and configuredto support the bicycle adjacent the vehicle, at least one arm extendingfrom the frame, a saddle mount having at least one cylindrical collarfor receiving the arm and a trough for supporting the top tube of thebicycle, a stabilizer having at least one cylindrical collar forreceiving the arm, and a channel for engaging a down tube or a seat tubeof the bicycle, and at least two tie downs on the saddle mount, one endof each tie down being permanently connected to a first side of themount, a fastener being provided for each tie down on a second side ofthe mount so that the tie downs can be selectively coupled to therespective fasteners to retain the top tube of the bicycle in thetrough.
 12. The rack of claim 11, wherein the trough has a front end anda back end, the first tie down being located near the front end of thetrough, and the second tie down being located near the back end of thetrough.
 13. A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle, whereinthe bicycle has a top tube, a down tube, and a seat tube, comprising aframe attachable to the rear of the vehicle and configured to supportthe bicycle adjacent the vehicle, at least one arm extending from theframe, a saddle mount having at least one cylindrical collar forreceiving the arm and a trough having an elongate dimension in a firstdirection generally parallel to the axis of the top tube of the bicycle,and a stabilizer having at least one cylindrical collar for receivingthe arm, and a channel defining a second direction for engaging a downtube or a seat tube of the bicycle, wherein the saddle mount and thestabilizer are coaxially integrated around the arm, the angle formedbetween the first and second directions being adjustable by altering therelative positions of the saddle mount and the stabilizer around thearm.
 14. A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle, wherein thebicycle has a top tube, a down tube, and a seat tube, comprising a frameattachable to the rear of the vehicle and configured to support thebicycle adjacent the vehicle, at least one arm extending from the frame,a saddle mount having at least one cylindrical collar for receiving thearm and a trough for supporting the top tube of the bicycle, wherein thesaddle mount is free to rotate around the arm to accommodate differenttop tube orientations securely in the trough, and a stabilizer having atleast one cylindrical collar for receiving the arm, and a channel forengaging a down tube or a seat tube of the bicycle.
 15. The rack ofclaim 14, wherein the stabilizer has two cylindrical collars engagingthe arm on opposite sides of the collar of the top tube mount.
 16. Therack of claim 14, wherein the trough on the stabilizer is elongate. 17.The rack of claim 14, wherein the saddle mount has at least one tiedown, one end of the tie down being permanently connected to a firstside of the mount, a fastener being provided on a second side of themount so that the tie down can be selectively coupled to the fastener toretain the top tube of the bicycle in the trough.
 18. The rack of claim17, wherein the saddle mount has at least two tie downs, and a fastenerfor each tie down.
 19. The rack of claim 14, further comprising a secondarm extending from the frame, a second mount and stabilizer beingmounted on the second arm
 20. The rack of claim 14, wherein a tie downon the stabilizer for maintaining a down tube or seat tube of thebicycle in the channel of the stabilizer
 21. A bicycle rack for carryinga bicycle on a vehicle, wherein the bicycle has a top tube, a down tube,and a seat tube, comprising a frame attachable to the rear of thevehicle and configured to support the bicycle adjacent the vehicle, atleast one arm extending from the frame, a saddle mount having at leastone cylindrical collar for receiving the arm and a trough for supportingthe top tube of the bicycle, and a stabilizer having at least onecylindrical collar for receiving the arm, and a channel for engaging adown tube or a seat tube of the bicycle, wherein each of the trough andthe channel have a geometry substantially corresponding to a partialexternal surface of a cylinder.